And some homeowners in Dare County are trying to counter
a rising threat.
A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will lift
those buildings ahead of higher waters.
Dare County over the years has elevated nearly 100 homes
with Fema's assistance.
Our Lauren Moss is on your side,
all new tonight.
Lifting a home not only helps keep the residents safe,
but it also keeps insurance rates down,
according to Dare County. The North Carolina county is trying
to improve its disaster resilience.
Lifting 31 homes. Officials say the funding was awarded in
December because area homes sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Dorian.
Floods are unexpected and can cause massive damage.
Just one inch of flood water can cause up to
$25,000 in damage,
according to FEMA. Under our house,
the piling shift every time we get a flood event.
One way to mitigate and protect a flood prone home?
Elevating it above the known flood level.
In a YouTube video, Dare County officials talk about that
process.
For the families that are in those homes,
it makes it safe we get some up out of
the flood area,
makes it a safer place to be.
After a storm, the president can declare a major disaster,
allowing FEMA to activate federal funding programs.
When Hurricane Dorian swept through the area and it was
deemed a major disaster,
communities could apply for grants.
Dare County applied and was awarded more than $5 million
from FEMA to improve disaster resilience.
This time, 31 homeowners were selected to have their homes
raised as part of flood mitigation.
Dare County expects the project to start sometime in the
second-half of this year.
It's a process that is not quick.
It's a process that is not easy.
But the benefit is you get your home raised at
almost no cost to you.
Dare County encourages any homeowner in floodbone areas to keep
an eye out for any grants that may come available
Of those resources for you on wavy.com,
I'm Lorne Moss, 10 on your side.